3rd annual Park Fest slated for Oct. 14
Leader file photo Lincoln Parish Park will be home to the third annual Park Fest on Oct. 14. The community event is aimed at raising operating funds for the park.
On Oct. 14, Lincoln Parish residents will have another opportunity to support the parish park and enjoy a day of arts, food and fun at the third annual Park Fest.
This fundraiser festival for Lincoln Parish Park aims to have something on offer for everyone, head organizer and police juror Annette Straughter said.
Taking place at the park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., entry is $10 per car.
The event will include:
• An antique car show
• A live entertainment stage featuring, gospel, R&B, country and more and emcee’d by none other than former Lincoln Parish Sheriff Mike Stone
• A food truck alley with a variety of tasty offerings, including dessert
• 30 vintage airstreams on display
• An archery contest
• An arts and crafts venue
• A kids zone that, in addition to fun games, will offer free educational books for kids to take home. Ruston City Marshal Curtis Hawkins will run the kids zone.
• K-9 demonstrations by the Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office
• The sheriff’s office’s BEARCAT tactical rescue truck, and other displays by the Lincoln Parish and Ruston fire departments
• Raffles for a $600 Cajun cooker; a king-size, homemade quilt by police juror Hazel Hunter and free passes to the park “We’ve tried to offer something for every age group,” Straughter said.
The Friends of the Lincoln Parish Park organization launched Park Fest in May of 2021, when the park was going through a funding transition, as a way to help supplement the park’s income as well as give those who had never been to the park a chance to experience what it has to offer.
All proceeds go to park operations. “Lincoln Parish Park is a hidden gem,” Straughter said. “A lot of people hear about it but have not really been there. We invite everyone to come out, explore our park, not just Oct. 14 but any day. It’s imperative that we have funding to continue to make improvements, upkeep the park and to keep it beautiful for those that will be coming to enjoy it.”
Straughter said she thanks major sponsor Jonesboro State Bank through its Pledge 10 grant, as well as T-shirt sponsor Rapid Signs.
Local Boy Scout troop 45 will also be on hand to assist vendors with setup.
